It is never too early to think about the health of your lungs, COPD Support Ireland has insisted.

COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is an umbrella term for a number of chronic lung disorders, including bronchitis and emphysema. It is a progressive, disabling condition caused by a narrowing of the airways. Smoking is the main cause and an estimated 380,000 people in Ireland are affected.

COPD Support Ireland is a charity that aims to help those living with the condition. It has launched a new campaign, Love Your Lungs, which aims to get young and old people thinking about the health of their lungs.

COPD affects people's ability to breathe and perform even the easiest of tasks, however early intervention is key to effectively managing it, the charity pointed out.

"Looking after your lungs from a young age by keeping fit and staying away from smoking is key to having healthy lungs in later life. COPD is a common progressive lung disease that mostly affects current or prior smokers, so not smoking or kicking the habit at an early stage has hugely beneficial effects for people," explained the charity's CEO, Damien Peelo.

According to Prof Tim McDonnell, who is the national clinical lead on the HSE COPD Programme, people should be aware of the symptoms of this condition, because respiratory diseases, including COPD, are responsible for almost 12% of all deaths in Ireland. In people over the age of 65, this rises to 20%.

"It is vital that we diagnose COPD as soon as possible in order to treat it effectively. The most important impact is the effect on the quality of life of the patients themselves, but there is also significant cost incurred. The cost to the State amounts to around €70 million per year," he commented.

However, he emphasised that even severe cases can be improved with treatment.

"If people with COPD can make even small changes to their everyday lives, they can help themselves," he noted.

Some 13,000 people are hospitalised every year in Ireland as a result of exacerbations of their condition. Early symptoms include frequent coughing, sometimes with phlegm, and mild breathlessness after brisk walking or physical work.

For more information on COPD, click here